World Cup 2026 latest: buildup to France v England third-place playoff and Spain v Argentina final | World Cup 2026
Key events
Wayne Rooney has honoured his pledge following Norway’s run to the World Cup quarter-finals by rowing down the Hudson River in New York.
Norway’s fans delivered some of the most memorable images of the 2026 tournament with their ‘Viking row’ celebration, leading the former Manchester United and England striker to promise he would take to Liverpool’s River Mersey if they toppled Brazil in the last 16.
Erling Haaland ensured they did with a brilliant late double and he challenged Rooney to keep to his word.
The 40-year-old has done just that, albeit swapping Merseyside for New York, alongside fellow BBC Sport pundits Micah Richards and Joe Hart.
“I loved it. The [Norwegian] fans were brilliant, weren’t they? So we’ve done it out of respect for the fans. We gave it our best shot!” Rooney said.
Addressing Haaland directly, Rooney added: “Enjoy it. We’ve seen a video of you dancing in Marbella, so hope you enjoy this!”.
Norway pushed England to extra time in the quarter-final before succumbing to Jude Bellingham’s winner. PA Media
The fallout from England’s exit continues. Jonathan Liew’s column is cutting and a must-read …
“If we lose, we lose in our way,” Tuchel told his players at half-time in the opening game against Croatia, a call to arms that generated some of the most thrilling football England have played at a major tournament in my lifetime. Where did that go, Thomas? Or: where did that Thomas go? Perhaps at some point on the road to the Azteca, or in the heat of Miami, Tuchel lost the simple faith that had brought England to this point.
In other through-the-looking-glass events, Trump’s comments were put to Thomas Tuchel in his pre-France press conference in Miami. The England head coach was not overly pleased …
“Do you use Donald Trump as your witness for the case or … ?” asked Tuchel.
We defended in a deep block. That’s what you do if you defend in a block. You defend in a block. We were not active enough. We could not escape the deep block. That is what teams build: togetherness and mentality is translated to in football terms. We defend as a 10 and as an 11. Together as a team, the team spirit, the togetherness, the mentality that this team built in the last six and a half weeks, is not to be questioned.
Ed Aarons was there …
Trump: England made mistake putting Kane ‘on defence’
Donald Trump joined the chorus of criticism over Thomas Tuchel’s defence-minded approach against Argentina as the United States president questioned the England manager’s “unusual” use of his golf buddy Harry Kane.
The inquest into Wednesday’s late 2-1 World Cup semi-final collapse to their bitter rivals is well under way, with fans and pundits alike panning the head coach’s tactics and substitutions in Atlanta.
In a World Cup event at Trump Tower in New York, the US president surprisingly joined those questioning Tuchel as England ready themselves for Saturday’s unwanted bronze medal match against France rather than the final against Spain.
Trump was particularly puzzled by the way the German coach utilised captain Kane, who revealed last week that they had played a round of golf together around 18 months ago in Florida.
“You have a great player in England, who I played golf with,” Trump said in a press conference. “You know that, right? He is Harry, who’s been fantastic.
“I think they perhaps made a mistake when they made him a defensive player. What do I know about soccer? They took the lead, and they took their best player and put him on defence.”
Gianni Infantino laughed alongside Trump, with the Fifa president shrugging and then applauding his remarks.
President Trump continued: “We have got to be a little offensive, right? But, no, I am not going to call it.
“Look, what do I know about coaching? But that was a little unusual, but Harry is a great guy, actually.” PA Media
Argentina and Spain have arrived in New York ahead of tomorrow’s final, with Lionel Messi, Emi Martínez and Rodri among those taking part in a fanfest in the city last night.
Can you spot the other famous faces in attendance?
Pablo Iglesias Maurer was there for a Q&A with Messi, Martínez and Lionel Scaloni, with the Argentina head coach lauding his captain once more …
He is pure history. A legend. Reaching a final at 39 years of age is unbelievable. We must enjoy him as it happens. With Diego [Maradona], we miss him. But Messi is still with us. He is the history, he is the legend, and together with this group of people who have brought us these wonderful years, we’ll always remember him.
Preamble
Hello and welcome to the final weekend of the 2026 World Cup. After five and a half weeks, 102 games and 44 teams have gone home, it’s time for the prizes to be handed out. The big one is tomorrow, with Spain and Argentina contesting a hugely intriguing final in New York/New Jersey – and that’s before you factor in wildfire smoke, a lengthy half-time show and Donald Trump crashing the trophy lift.
Today’s action comes from Miami as France and England fight for bronze in the third-place playoff. What’s the approach here? Ring the changes? Go all out to try to get your star striker the golden boot? Just avoid a heavy defeat?
Either way, we’d like to hear from you about how you think the tournament has gone and what you think will happen in tomorrow’s showpiece. Get in touch via email or comment below the line.
